General Information

The iconic neighborhood is now associated not only with African-American culture but also known for its jazz music, soul food, as well as breathtaking cathedrals and popular landmarks. The first thing you’re going to notice after moving to Harlem is its residents showing the mix of cultural traditions. Most of them are really friendly and easy-going. If you’ve heard about the neighborhood’s former reputation, don’t worry, it’s much safer that it used to be decades ago. However, we would still recommend you keeping an eye on your belongings when in a crowd. It’s also not safe to walk alone in the park at night.

On the other hand, we should say that Harlem is also known for its reputation of community awareness. Besides, the neighborhood is home to El Museo del Barrio (the museum specializes Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latin American art), the Museum of the City of New York, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and also the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.

Harlem has this peaceful spirit, but it is also home to a vibrant cultural scene. One of the uniting traditions in the neighborhood is music. You will find lots of places with amazing singers, from iconic jazz lounges to small neighborhood bars. There are also lots of music festivals held in parks during the summer.

Rental Market

Historic brownstones can be seen from 125th to 145th streets. Interested in more modern buildings? Then you should be looking for an apartment in Adam Clayton Powell Jr. or Malcolm X Blvd. The good news is that rental prices are not so high here. Just imagine living in Manhattan for only $1,700 per month! The prices are great, especially in case you have a roommate. The Central Harlem offers one-bedroom apartments from $1,800 per month, while the West Harlem neighborhoods have higher rental prices. If you have a big family, a two-bedroom apartment can cost you around $2,300 per month.

Transportation

The 2, 3, A, B, C and D trains to 125th Street put you right in central Harlem; the 1, 4, 5 and 6 lines also provide options for commute. You’re going to need up to 45 minutes to get to the Financial District, and about 25 minutes to the West 40s.